City of Vista Business License

Anyone conducting business in the City of Vista must have a business license. A new business owner will need to fill out a business license application. Please note a street address of the business is necessary; a post office address alone cannot be used.

Once received by business license staff, the application is then forwarded to the City Development Services Center for zoning clearance and the appropriate fees are collected. The application will be routed for all approvals and a business license will be issued.

Apply for a new license, renew or close a license, or pay a balance due online at www.vistabl.com. The revenue from the Business license fees help support public safety, street maintenance, and recreation services for the community.

BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION

New business owners must fill out a business license application online or by downloading a PDF form.

BUSINESS LICENSE RENEWAL

SEARCH FOR A BUSINESS IN VISTA

Determining the Amount of Business License Tax to Pay

Calculation of business license tax is done as part of the business license application. New businesses will be asked to provide an estimate of annual gross receipts which is the basis for the calculation. Additional fees, based on type and location of the business may be assessed.

SB-1186 Requires the City to Collect an Additional $4 State Fee. Effective January 1, 2018, SB-1186 requires the City of Vista to collect an additional $4 state fee from any applicant for a local business license or similar instrument or permit, or renewal thereof. The purpose is to increase disability access and compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements and to develop educational resources for businesses in order to facilitate compliance with federal and state disability laws.